TIP

In an accelerated world consumed in crisis and knee-jerk outrage, is it possible to press pause and refrain before judgment? Jian ponders the chances of gaining perspective when moderation has become an antique, and urging cooler heads is interpreted as inaction. For more ideations, check out http://TheIdeationProject.com. Words, original music, recording and production by Jian Read More »

WH Press Secretary Sean Spicer has been heard to say “Eye-ran” and “Eye-ranians” when speaking of Iran. Is this just an innocent alternative pronunciation or are there social and political implications to the way names are said? Jian explores how alt-pronunciations like “Eye-talian”, “Ay-rab” and “Eye-ran” can been used as pejoratives, and as a way Read More »

How do our dwindling attention spans affect the way we experience music? On its 50th anniversary, the Beatles’ Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band is widely considered to be a classic. But would we hear it the same way if it debuted today? Jian explores the impact of attention spans on how we experience art Read More »

A metonymy is a word that stands in for another word that it is associated with. But what happens in our current era of shorthand, when a metonymy is used to stand in for the caricatured traits and actions of entire groups of people? Jian explores the way in which words like “Muslims” and “Mexicans” Read More »

Can we break our smartphone addiction? And what happens if we don’t? On the tenth anniversary of the iPhone, we are a society addicted to social media and our smartphones – and it’s messing with our heads. Fear of missing out (“FOMO”) has already been a popular discussion point in the last couple of years, Read More »

We all know Yoda as a little green fountain of genius and accumulated knowledge. And we accept that his wisdom comes with his advanced age. And yet, we don’t always treat elders in the real world with the same respect. Jian explores the current pattern of dismissing seniors in contemporary western society with Yoda as Read More »

In the movies, predictable is boring. In real life, a lack of consistency at the highest levels of a super power is daunting. Jian explores the chaotic and fast-paced nature of the new Trump world and yearns for a global reality with less political earthquakes and daily bombshells. Words, original music, recording and production by Read More »

How scared should we be? We live in a new age of anxiety where multifaceted global industries benefit from fearmongering. But there are also dangers too significant to assume exaggeration. Jian explores the nature of alarmism, a dearth of trusted sources, and the implications of a world increasingly governed by fear. Words, original music, recording Read More »

What does it mean when we mourn for the loss of someone who never existed? Drawing from the recent death of popular figures in this season’s TV series finales, Jian explores how our growing attachment to fictional characters is connected to the increasing loneliness and social emptiness we experience in a screen-dominated world. Words, original Read More »

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Each Track of The Ideation Project currently consists of a short 3-10 minute video available on theideationproject.com and YouTube. There is also Original Music available on SoundCloud or through the widget on our site, and an audio-only Podcast available through the Podcast widget on our site or as a subscription through iTunes Podcasts or Google Play Music.